Multipurpose Lid and Container

ABSTRACT

An article of manufacture for providing a multi-purpose lid and container according to the present invention includes a hollow container having an open end and an inside cavity and a multi-purpose lid for coupling to the open end of the hollow container to enclose the inside cavity. The multi-purpose lid includes a lid frame configured to match the open end of the hollow container, a filtered lid having a first open and a first closed position and a plurality of filter holes through its surface, an outer lid having a second open and a second closed position and a solid surface and positioned to cover the filtered lid when the filtered lid is in the first closed position and the outer lid is in the second closed position, and a hinge coupled between the lid frame and both the filtered lid and the outer lid, the hinge permits the filtered lid to move between the first open and the first closed position and the outer lid to move between the second open and the second closed position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates in general to an article of manufacture for providing useful containers, and more specifically, to an article of manufacture providing a multi-purpose lid and container.

BACKGROUND

Currently, lids on some containers, especially for condiments and spices, require removal while cooking, which can be a hassle if a user is cooking multiple meals and has grease or cooking oil on your hand. Also, after dispensing spices, it is common for them to get caught in the threading of the lid. It also takes longer currently.

Traditionally items are either not fileted, i.e. a carafe, or the lid has the filter affixed, as may be found in most spices containers, with a variety of lids that are typically manually opened with a fingernail. This arrangement is unsanitary potentially as well. If a lid allows both filtered and full open, it is still difficult to operate with one hand, and typically these only open halfway, which does not allow measuring devices or utensils easy access.

Therefore, a need exists for an article of manufacture for providing a multi-purpose lid and container. The present invention attempts to address the limitations and deficiencies in prior solutions according to the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, the above and other problems are solved by providing an article of manufacture providing a multi-purpose lid and container according to the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein.

In one embodiment, the present invention is an article of manufacture for providing a multi-purpose lid and container according to the present invention. The multi-purpose lid and container includes a hollow container having an open end and an inside cavity and a multi-purpose lid for coupling to the open end of the hollow container to enclose the inside cavity. The multi-purpose lid includes a lid frame configured to match the open end of the hollow container, a filtered lid having a first open and a first closed position and a plurality of filter holes through its surface, an outer lid having a second open and a second closed position and a solid surface and positioned to cover the filtered lid when the filtered lid is in the first closed position and the outer lid is in the second closed position, and a hinge coupled between the lid frame and both the filtered lid and the outer lid, the hinge permits the filtered lid to move between the first open and the first closed position and the outer lid to move between the second open and the second closed position.

In another aspect of the present invention, the multi-purpose lid further comprises a pair of pressure buttons to release a corresponding lid lock engaging each of the filtered lid and the outer lid from the first closed position and the second closed position.

In another aspect of the present invention, depressing a first pressure button releases the outer lid.

In another aspect of the present invention, depressing a second of the pressure buttons releases the filtered lid.

In another aspect of the present invention, the multi-purpose lid and container further comprises a securing mechanism to secure the multi-purpose lid to the container.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features that are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 a is a right side view of a design of a multipurpose lid and container according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 b is a rear view of a design of the multipurpose lid and container according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 c is a left side view of a design of the multipurpose lid and container according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a design of the multipurpose lid and container having an inner lid in an open orientation according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a design of the multipurpose lid and container having an inner lid in a closed orientation according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a design of the multipurpose lid having an outer lid open according to the present invention,

FIG. 5 is a front view of a design of the multipurpose lid having an inner lid open according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a design of the multipurpose container according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a design of the multipurpose container according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application relates in general to an article of manufacture for providing useful containers, and more specifically, to an article of manufacture providing a multi-purpose lid and container according to the present invention.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

In describing embodiments of the present invention, the following terminology will be used. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It further will be understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including” specify the presence of stated features, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps or components. It also should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions and acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality and acts involved.

The terms “individual,” and “user” refer to an entity, e.g., a human, using an article of manufacture providing a multi-purpose lid and container according to the present invention. The term user herein refers to one or more users.

The term “invention” or “present invention” refers to the invention being applied for via the patent application with the title “MULTIPURPOSE LID AND CONTAINER.” Invention may be used interchangeably with container lid.

In general, the present disclosure relates an article of manufacture providing a multi-purpose lid and container according to the present invention. To better understand the present invention, FIGS. 1 a-c are multiple views of a design of a multipurpose lid and container according to the present invention. In particular, FIG. 1 a is a right side view f a design of the multipurpose lid and container according to the present invention, FIG. 1 b is a rear view of a design of the multipurpose lid and container according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 c is a left side view of a design of the multipurpose lid and container according to the present invention. The multi-purpose lid 102 is shown coupled on top of the container 101 in all three views of the multipurpose lid and container 100. FIG. 1 a shows the filter lid 201 down and the outer lid 204 open. FIG. 1 b shows both the filter lid 201 and outer lid 204 in a closed position. FIG. 1 c shows both the filter lid 201 and the outer lid 204 in an open position.

The multi-purpose lid 102 includes a small ‘lock’ on each of the two lids that allows snapping the lid(s) closed. The outer lid 204 reveals the filtered lid 201. The filtered lid 201 may then open to provide full access within the container 101.

The multi-purpose lid 102 engages the container 101 by a securing mechanism 209, for example, a set of matching threads in one embodiment and a coupling lip in another embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a design of the multipurpose lid and container having an inner lid in an open orientation according to the present invention. The multi-purpose lid 102 and container 101 is shown having a lid frame 202 coupled on the top of container 101. The multi-purpose lid 102 comprises the lid frame 202, a filter lid 201 and an outer lid 204 coupled to the lid frame 202 by a hinge 207 at a connection location, and two pressure buttons 205 a-b.

This lid 102 is designed to make switching between a filter and full open lid fast and convenient, without removing the lid. This will function with two pressure buttons 205 a-b allowing one handed operation. An optional “button safety” to lock the full open mode is also under discussion.

The two pressure buttons 205 a-b are located on the multi-purpose lid 102, opposite from the “front” lip by the hinge 207. The two pressure buttons 205 a-b operate by being pushed in, releasing one of the two lid locks (not shown). One button will release the outer lid 204 lid, the other will release both the outer lid 204 and the filtered lid 201, when pushed in. The hinge 207 will open from either gravity or a small spring (not shown). Each of the of the two lid locks engage a corresponding lid 201, 204 when each lid is in a closed position to restrain each lid in its closed position. The two pressure buttons 205 a-b push on one end of the two lid locks allowing them to pivot and disengage their corresponding lid 102, 204 to allow the lids to open.

These lids 102 will be made for spices initially, with the goal to move on to several other container 101 types if feasible. The two pressure buttons 205 a-b will have easily identifiable contrasting colors to make this product accessible to anyone with an impairment. This operation solves having to unscrew lids 102 from bottles and jars 101 to access the contents. The outer lid 204 will be as close in size as possible to the container dimensions to provide easy access with utensils.

Easy to switch between filtered having the outer lid 204 open and the filter lid 201 closed or full open mode having both the outer lid 204 and the filter lid 201 open while preventing the need to use two hands or a fingernail. This arrangement also allows a clean hand if a user is cooking something greasy or wet. In the use with a carafe as a container 101, the filter lid 201 of the multi-purpose lid 102 would block ice but allow for some ice to be let out at the user's desire. It would also allow easy cleaning of the product.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective vie of a design of the multipurpose lid and container having an inner lid in a closed orientation according to the present invention. In this view, the multi-purpose lid 102 is shown coupled to the container 101 with the filter lid 201 in a closed position while the outer lid 204 is open thus exposing the filter holes 203 a-n in the filter lid 201. The two pressure buttons 205 a-b are seen along the lid frame 202 about the hinge that couples the filter lid 201 and outer lid 204 to the lid frame 202.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a design of the multipurpose lid having an outer lid open according to the present invention. In this view of the multi-purpose lid 102, the outer lid 204 is shown in an open position with the hinge coupling the outer lid 204 to the lid frame 202. The two pressure buttons 205 a-b are shown along the lid frame 202 about the hinge.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a design of the multipurpose lid having an inner lid open according to the present invention. In this view, the filter lid 201 is shown in an open position showing the filter holes 203 a-n within the multi-purpose lid 102.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a design of the multipurpose container according to the present invention. The container 101 shown as having a rectangular shape for exemplary purpose. The container 101 may be any shaped container 101 so long as a top edge of the container 101 match the size of thy: lid frame 202 of the multi-purpose lid 102 and thus permitting the container 101 and multi-purpose lid 102 to be coupled together.

FIG. 7 is a side vie of a design of the multipurpose container according to the present invention. The top view shows the top edge of the container 101 having the shape, size, and configuration of the lid frame 202.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the present application, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the invention. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in this application. In other words, any of the features mentioned in this application may be included to this new invention in any combination or combinations to allow the functionality required for the desired operations.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of manufacture providing a multi-purpose lid and container, the multi-purpose lid and container comprises: a hollow container having an open end and an inside cavity; a multi-purpose lid for coupling to the open end of the hollow container to enclose the inside cavity, the multi-purpose lid comprises: a lid frame configured to match the open end of the hollow container; a filtered lid having a first open and a first closed position and a plurality of filter holes through its surface; an outer lid having a second open and a second closed position and a solid surface and positioned to cover the filtered lid when the filtered lid is in the first closed position and the outer lid is in the second closed position; and a hinge coupled between the lid frame and both the filtered lid and the outer lid, the hinge permits the filtered lid to move between the first open and the first closed position and the outer lid to move between the second open and the second closed position.
 2. The multi-purpose lid and container according to claim 1, wherein the multi-purpose lid further comprises a pair of pressure buttons to release a corresponding lid lock engaging each of the filtered lid and the outer lid from the first closed position and the second closed position.
 3. The multi-purpose lid and container according to claim 2, wherein depressing a first pressure button releases the outer lid.
 4. The multi-purpose lid and container according to claim 3, wherein depressing a second of the pressure buttons releases the filtered lid.
 5. The multi-purpose lid and container according to claim 2, wherein the multi-purpose lid and container further comprises a securing mechanism to secure the multi-purpose lid to the container. 